Ander



T. G. A. ALEXANDER.

KEYLEss Lock.

(Application med sept. 1s, 189e.)

mz Ncnms PETERS co. Punto-urne.. wAsHlNoTnN, D, a

No. s||,547. Patented sept. 27, 1398.

T. s. A. ALEXANDER.Av

KEYLEss Luck.

(Application med'sepc. 1s, 189e.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

. n, a THE NORRIS PETERS CO.. VNDTDLTHQ., WSHINGTON PATENT rricn.

THOMAS G. A. ALEXANDER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

KEYLESS LocK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 611,547, datedSeptember 27, 1898. Applicationfiieasepambel-18,1896. sentire. 606,233.(romain T0 all whom it may concern:

` Be it known 4that I, THOMAS G. A. ALEX- ANDER, a subject of the Queenof Great Britain, and a resident of New York, (Stapletom) in the countyof Richmond and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Keyless Locks, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates generally to improvements in locks, butparticularly to keyless locks; and the objects of my invention are toprovide a keyless lock which shall be applicable to any place where anordinary lock and key are used, which shall be of no larger bulk than anordinary lock operated by a key, which shall be as easily and quicklyoperated as an ordinarylock and key, and which shall be absolutely safeand impossible to operate unless the combination be known to theoperator. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated inV theaccompanyingdrawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation; Fig. 2, alongitudinal section on the line X X of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sideelevation of a tumbler which is used in the operation of my invention.Fig. 4 is a part of the mechanism for raising and lowering said tumbler.Fig. 5-is a vertical section on the line Y Y of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is alongitudinal section on the line Z Z of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a detailedview of the lock-bar, and Fig. 8 a detailed view of a rectifying-barused in the operation of my invention. Fig. 9 is a detailed perspectiveview of one of the rectifying-bars,showing particularly the beveled face29. Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the severalviews.

The framework is the same as in an ordinary lock.

l is the front plate, and 1 the back plate, the former having ahorizontal projection 25 attached to it for the purpose of passingvthrough the door or whatever the lock is attached to, its end beingvisible from the outside. Between these plates are fitted a number oftumblers or sliders 2, one behind the other, supported by suitablemeans. In the accompanying drawings there are iive, but this number canbe varied, as the number of tumblers determines the complexity of thelock. They consist, as here shown, of a large vthe upright can be slidalong and take any position desired in the tumbler. These uprights areeach provided with a cylindrical aperture 4 in the center fitted toreceive a screw. Between the tumblers and the back.

plate `1 runs the lock-bar 5, provided with notches 16 of differentwidths, these notches being divided into upper and' lower halves, asshown. On the bar is iixed a plate or projection 36. (See Fig. 6.) Fromeach of the Vapertures 4 runs at right angles a hollow rod G, passingthrough an aperture in the back plate 1. As there are iive frames andfive uprights in the drawings, so there are necessarily five rods, allof different lengths, so

that they all terminate at an equal distance beyond the plate 1. At theends of the rods 6 are fastened at right angles pieces 7, 8, 9, 10, and11 by means of screws 12, which pass through the rods 6 and screw into'the apertures 4. These screws are merely threaded a short distance atthe point, and at their heads are fitted with milled edges, so as to becapable of being removed quickly by the iingers. Fig. 4 is a detailedview of this fastening. Pieces rfand 11 are solid and extend onlydownward, being fitted with small movable catches 13 and 14, while 8, 9,and 10 eX- tend both upward and downward and at their tops have 4stumps15 of different widths projecting at right angles into the lower halvesof the notches 16 in the lock-bar.- In their extension downward S, 9,and 10 have their lower parts 17 'hinged to the Lipper parts, and theselower parts are provided with a stationary catch 18 on one side and amovable one, 19, on the other, except that 10 has both catchesstationary. They are also provided IOO the inside faces of 8, 9, and arebeveled.l

In the drawings these beveled faces are numbered 23.

Passing through the plate 1' and the projection on plate 1 andunderneath the tumblers 2 is a bar 24, square where it passes through 25and round where it passes through the back plate 1 and capable of beingpulled back and forth through them. The square part is fitted with asmany grooves 26 as there are tumblers, and as each groove passes theaperture in 25 the bar is capable of being revolved. On this bar isfastened an arm 27 at right angles. Beneath this there pass through theplates narrow square bars 28, there being the same number of them asthere are tumblers 2, each with an upright piece 29, fastened at rightangles at different distances on the bars, so that an upright isdirectly below each of the tumblers 2. These uprights are provided withbeveled faces, a detail of a bar and upright being shown in Fig. 8.These bars are capable of being withdrawn through an aperture in theback plate 1 and run in grooves 28 and are all of the same size, so thatany bar 28 will fit in any groove 28'. These bars pass upward at rightangles back of the plate 1 and have points 32 at right angles, whichtouch the beveled faces 23, already described. The outside end of thebar 24 is provided-with a knob 33. In order to allow the lock to beoperated in the dark, if necessary, there is attached on the outer endof 25 the small piece 41, so shaped as to enter the grooves 26 withoutpreventing the bar 24 from being pushed back and forth. When the lock iswanted to be used as a spring-latch for a door or drawer, the piece 37,(shown in Fig. 1,) turning on a pivot and acting by gravity, the endbeing heavier than the end 38, can be attached.

In use a small plate is provided to fit on the back plate 1, coveringall the visible mechanism, which can be removed to get at the screws 12in order to change the combination.

The lock is operated in the following manner: The knob 33 is pulled out,and at whichever groove may be desired is revolved half a turn in thedirection away from the point of the lock-bar, then half a turn backagain, and so on. When the knob is so revolved, the arm 27 will lift anyone of the tumblers 2 which may be desired, and at the same time willlift the back piece 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11 which may be attached to it. Ifthe tumbler with 8 attached to it be lifted, first the point 20 will belifted and catch in the shoulder 21. In like mannerthe tumbler with 9and 10 attached can be lifted, when their points 20 will also enter theshoulder 21, and all the stumps 15 will be raised out of the lowerhalves of the notches 16, and the lock-bar can be shot by pushing theknob 33 in the full length and revolving it, when the arm 27 will enterthe notch 42 in the lock-bar.

As shown in Fig. 6, the plate 36 will push out the pins 35, and so theplate 34, against the hinged portions 17 of 8, 9, and 10, which willpush out the points 2O from the shoulder 21, when the tumblers 2, beingpressed on by sprin gs, (not showin) will descend a short distance, andwhen the lock-bar is again shot the stumps 15 will enter the lowerhalves of the notches 16 and the lock-bar be held firm until againoperated. As these stumps 15 and notches 16 are of different widths eachstump can only enter its own notch, the largest always being placedfarthest in on the lockbar.

On account ofthe catches 13, 14, 18, and 19 it will be seen that it isalways necessary to move the tumbler with 8 attached to it first, thenthe one with 9, and then the one with lO, and the ones with 7 and 11 notat all. If the tumber with 9 is moved first, the stationary catch 18 onit will pass the movable catch 19 on 8, and when 8 is moved the catch 19on it, only being able to move upward, will be unable to pass the catch18 on 9, and so will push 9 up until the point 2O will catch in theshoulder 22, and the stump 15 will be pushed into the top portion of thenot-ch 16, preventing the lock-bar from being operated, even if 8 and 10are put in the right positions. In like manner 7 will work on 8 and 9 on10, and, as both the catches 18 ou 10 are stationary 11 also will workon it if moved after 10.

Now it is evident that even the right combination will not work thelock, and as until the bar is shot the plate 34 cannot move it isimpossible to release the points 20 from the shoulders 2l and 22, andtherefore it becomes necessary to provide some means for so doing. Forthis purpose the rectifying-bars 28 are provided. The knob 33 beingrevolved half a turn in the opposite direction from that which works thelock, the arm 27 will come in contact with the beveled face of any oneof the pieces 29 which may be desired and will push it back, so that thepoint 32 will push back the hinged portion 17 of 8, 9, or 10, as thecase may be, and release the point 20, when the tumbler 2 will drop toits original position. By means of the beveled faces 23 the catch 18 on9 will be pushed back so as to pass the catch 19 on 8 when 9 is in theshoulder 22 and 8 in 21; but if 8 should be dropped first on account ofthe sloping face the catch 18 on 9 will not be pushed far enough back topass the catch 19 on 8, which will have resumed its original position.As each one works similarly in regard to its neighbor it will be seenthat in order to correct the lock if put wrong it will be necessaryalways to drop 10 first, then 9, and then 8.

As the uprights 3 can take any position in the tumblers 2 by removingthe screws 12 and sliding the uprights the combination can be changed atpleasure in a few moments, the

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bination is capable of as many variations asV the lock itself. As thetumblers can beincreased almost indefinitely the lock can be made verycomplicated or very simple, according to the use it is to be put to.

When used as a spring-latch for a door, itV

will be seen that if the bolt was shot back and the hand removed thespring would cause the lock-bar to return to its position and the stumps15 would enter the notches 16 and when the door closed the lock-barwould be unable to slide back and allow the doorV to latch. To preventthis, the piece 37 (shown in Fig. 1) is attached. When the lock-bar isshot back, the end 3S Will catch in the notch 39 and hold the bar backtill the door is closed, when a sloping plate attached to the nosing(not shown) will raise the end 40 and allow the bar to slide back andfasten the door. For this kind of lock a handle can be attached on theinside Which vWill raise all the tumblers and shoot the lock-bar at thesame time in order to open the door easily from Within.

For operation in the dark there is attached the small piece 41, whichWill make a click as each of the grooves 26 passes it and Will enablethe lock to be operated by sound entirely.

I do not confine myself to the specific construction as herein shown anddescribed; but,

Having thus fully described the construction, advantages, and operationof my invention as preferred, What I claim as new, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is-- 1. In a lock the combination With a lockbar, oftumblers, each having a movable piece grooved at each end, and slidingin the tumbler and which may be placed in as many positions as there aretumblers, and means for operating said tumblers and lock-bar,substantially as described.

2. In a lock the combination with a lockbar, of tumblers, each tumblerhaving a rod of different length attached to it bearing the stump, sothat all the rods terminate at the same distance from the tumblers, andmeans for moving said tumblers and lock-bar, substantially as described.

3. In a lock the combination With a lockbar, of tumblers, each tumblerhaving a detachable rod of different length bearing the stump, and meansfor attaching same so that all the rods terminate the same distance fromthe tumblers, and means for moving said tumblers and lock-bar,substantially as described.

4. In a lock the combination With a lockbar, of tumblers havingoverlapping catches which are capable of passing one another so thateach tumbler must be moved With reference to its neighbor, and means foroperating vsaid tumblers and lock-bar, substantially as described.

5. In a lock the combination With a lockbar, of tumblers, havingdetachable overlapping catches which are capable of passing one another,and means for attaching same to said tumblers, so that the catches onany tumbler may be made to overlap the catches on any other tumblersdesired, and means for operating said tumblers and lock-bar,subst-antially as described.

6. In a lock the combination with a lockbar having notches of differentWidths, of tumblers, having stumps of different Widths to correspondWith the notches in the lock-bar, and means for operating said tumblersand lock-bar, substantially as described.

7. In a lock the combination with a lockbar, having notches of differentWidths, of tumblers, having detachable stumps of different Widths tocorrespond with the notches in the lock-bar, and means of attaching saidy stumps to the tumblers so that any stump may be attached to anytumbler Without changing its position relative to the lock-bar or theother stumps, and means for operating said tumblers and lock-bar,substantially as described.

8. In a lock the combination with a lockbar, of tumblers, having beveledfaces attached to the stump, and means for operating said lock-bar andtumblers, substantially as described.

9. In a lock the combinationV With a lockbar, of tumblers havingdetachable beveled faces, and means for operating said lock-bar andtumblers, substantially as described.

10. In a lock the combination With a lockbar having notches of differentWidths, of tu mblers, having overlapping catches so that each tumblermust be moved With reference to its neighbor, and stumps of differentWidths corresponding With the notches in the lockbar, and means foroperating said tumblers and lock-bar, substantially as described.

11. In a lock the combination with a lockbar having notches of differentWidths, of tumblers, having overlapping catch es so that each tumblermust be moved With reference to its neighbor and detachable stumps ofdifferent Widths to correspond With the lock-bar and means for attachingsaid stumps so that any stump may be attached to any tumbler Withoutchanging its position relative to the lock-bar or the other stumps, andmeans for operating said tumblers and lock-bar, substantially asdescribed. j

12. In a lock the combination with a lockbar having notches of differentWidths, of tumblers, having detachable overlapping catches and means forattaching same, so that the catches on any tumbler may be made tooverlap the catches on any other tumblers, and stumps of differentWidths to correspond IOO IIO

with the notches on the lock-bar, and means for operating said tumblersand lock-bar, substantially as described.

13. In a lock, the combination with alockbar, having notches ofdifferent Widths, of tumblers having detachable overlapping catches, anddetachable stumps of different Widths corresponding to the notches inthe lock-bar means for attaching said catches and stumps to the tumblersso that the "catches on any tumbler may be made to overlap the catcheson any othertumblers, and any stump may be attached to any tumblerWithout changing the position of said stump relative to the lock-bar orthe other stumps; means for operating said lock-barand tumblers,substantially as described.

14. In a lock, the combination with a lockbar, having notches ofditferent Widths, of tumblers having detachable overlappin g catches,and detachable stumps of different Widths corresponding with the notchesin the lock-bar, and means for attaching said catches and stumps to thetumblers,so that the catches on any tumbler may be made to overlap thecatches on anyT other tumblers, and any stump may be attached to anytumbler Without changing the position of said stump relative to thelock-bar or the other stumps, said means to consist of a movable piecein each tumbler capable of taking as many positions as there aretumblers, to each of Which is attached by suitable means a detachablerod, said rods being of different lengths so that they all terminate atan equal distance from the nearest tumbler, and on the ends of the saidrods are attached by suitable means the said stumps .and catches; andmeans for moving said tumblers and lock-bar, substantially as described.

15. In a lock the combination with a lockbar and tumblers, having points20, of shoulders 21 and 22 on the stationary framework of the lock whichwill catch the points 2O When moved, and hold the tumblers inposition,sub stantially as described.

16. In a lock, the combination With a lockbar of tumblers 2 havingmovable pieces 3 capable of taking as many positions as there aretumblers With hollow rods 6 of different lengths, attachable to themovable pieces 3, al1 terminating at an equal distance from thetumblers, and pieces S, having stumps 15,

also a hinged portion 17 With overlapping' catches 13, 14, 18, 19, andalso points 20 and beveled faces 23, all held together by screw 12,substantially as shown for the purpose specified.

17. In a lock the combination With a lockbar and tumblers, of means formoving said tumblers and lock-bar, said means to consist of a movablebar square in one portion and round in another With an arm attached atright angles which may be brought under any tumbler desired, or thelock-bar, and revolved under same, by means of grooves cut in the squareportion, When the arm impinges against said tumblers or lock-bar, movingsame, means for holding said tumblers in position When moved, means forreturning said tumblers to position collectively, and means forreturning said tumblers to position individually, substantially asdescribed.

18. In a lock the combination with a lockbar and tumblers, of means formoving said tumblers, means for holding said tumblers in position whenmoved, said means to consist of pieces attached to the movable parts ofthetumblers, having points which shall catch in a shoulder providedonthe lock-frame, and remain there until released, and means for returningsaid tumblers to position collectively'and individually, substantiallyas described.

19. In a lock the combination with a lockbar and tumblers having points20, of means for moving said tumblers, means for holding said tumblersin position when moved, and means for returning said tumblers toposition collectively, said means to consist of a plate with pins movingthrough the lock-frame and operated by a projection on thelock-bar,which When moved Will push against the pieces of -tumblershaving points caught in shoulders provided, and Will 4push the pointsout of the shoulders, and so release the tumblers, and means forreturning said tumblers to position individually, substantially asdescribed.

20. In a lock the combination With a lockbar andtumblers havingoverlapping catches and beveled faces 23 and points 2O of means for moving said tumblers and lock-bar, means for holding said tumblers inposition when moved, means for returning said tumblers to positioncollectively, means for returning said tumblers to positionindividually, said means to consist of as many interchangeable bars 28,as there are tumblers, one of which being moved Will push against one ofthe beveled faces 23 of the tumblers and release the point 2O from theshoulder 22, and allow that one tumbler to return to its originalposition, and means for moving said bars, substantially as described.

21. In a lock the combination with a lockbar and tumblers havingdetachable overlapping catches and detachable beveled faces and points2O and means for attaching same so that the catches on any tumbler maybe made to overlap the catches on any other tumblers, said means toconsist of a movable piece in each tumbler capable of taking as manypositions as there are tumblers, and detachable bars suitably attachedto the movable portions of the tumblers, and all terminating at an equaldistance from the tumblers, of as many interchangeable movable bars asthere are tumblers, each With a beveled upright at a different distanceon the bars, means for operating said lock-bar and tumblers and bars,substantially as described.

22. In a lock the combination With a lockbar and tumblers havingdetachable overlapping catches and detachable beveled faces and points2O and means forattaching'same so IOC IIO

that the catches on any tumbler may be made i blers capable ot' takingas many positions as 55 to overlap the catches on any other tumblers,said means to consist of a movable piece in each tumbler capable oftaking as many po sitions as there are tumblers, and detachable barssuitably attached to the movable portions of the tumblers, and allterminating at an equal distance from the tumblers; of as manyinterchangeable movable bars as there are tumblers, each With a beveledupright at a diierent distance on the bars, means for operating saidlock-bar and tumblers and bars, said means to consist of a bar runningbetween the bellies of the tumblers and the other bars, round in oneportion and square in another, With an arm attached at right anglescapable of being brought under the bar or any of the tumblers, and overany of the beveled uprights on the bars, and capable of being revolvedin any of these positions by means of grooves cut in the square portion,which will cause the arm to impinge against the lock-bar or any of thetumblers or any of the beveled uprights on the bars 28, and so move anyone desired, substantially as described.

23. In a lock the combination With a lockbar and tumblers having pointscatching in shoulders provided on the lock-frame of a plate Workingthrough the lock-bar operated on by a projection in the lock-bar,vvhichWhen the lock-bar is moved Will push the points from the shoulder andmeans of operating said lock-bar and tumblers, said means to consist ofa bar square in one portion and round in another, With an arm at rightangles capable of being brought under the lock-bar or any of thetumblers, and of being revolved in any of these positions by means ofgrooves cut in the square portion When the arm Will impinge against thelock-bar or any of the tumblers as may be desired, substantially asdescribed.

24. In a lock the combination With a lockbar having notches of`difterentWidths and tumblers having detachable overlapping catches, detachablestumps, and points 20, and means for attaching same so that the catcheson any tumbler can be made to overlap the catches on any other tumblersand any stump can be attached to ,any tumbler Without changing itsposition relative to the lock-bar or the other stumps, said means toconsist of a movable piecein each of the tumthere are tumblers anddetachable rods of different lengths, suitably attached to the movablepieces of the tumblers, so that all the rods terminate the same distancefrom the tumblers; of a plate Working through the lockbar operated on bya projection in the lockbar which when the lock-bar is moved Will pushthe points from the shoulder and means of operating said lock-bar andtumblers, said means to consist of a bar square in one portion and roundin another with an arm at right angles capable of being brought underthe lock-bar or any of the tumblers, and of being revolved in any ofthese positions by means of grooves cut in the square portion When thearm Will impinge against the lockbar or any of the tumblers as may bedesired,

substantially as described.

25. In a lock the combination. with a lockbar and tumblers of a bar 24square in one portion and round in another with the arm 27 at rightangles capable of moving the tumblers and vlikewise the lock-bar and thegrooves 26 in the square portion substantially as shown for the purposespecified.

26. In a lock the combination With a lockbar and tumblers of a bar 28having an upright 29 with a beveled face, and a point 32, substantiallyas shown for the purpose specified.

27. In a lock the combination With tumblers of the lock-bar 5 Withstump-notches 1G of different Widths, and notches 42 and 39,substantially as shown for the purpose speciiied.

28. In a lock the combination with a lockbar and tumblers operated `by abar square in one portion and round in another With an arm at rightangles, capable of moving the tumblers and likewise the lock-bar, withgrooves in the square portion, of a Clicker shaped so as to enter thegrooves Without hindering their progress, enabling the lock. to beoperated by sound, substantially as. described.

Signed at Stapleton, inthe county of Richmond and State of New York,this 12th day of September, A. D. 1896. y

THOMAS G. A. ALEXANDER..

Witnesses:

T. R. STUART, CHAs. C. MARTIN.

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